Method of uniting metals



Nov. 4 1924.

A. T. KASLEY METHOD OF UNITING METALS Filed Jan. 26. 1923 M M l l TNESSE ATTORN EY Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER T. KASLEY, OE ESSINGTON, IPENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENN- r SYLVANIA.

METHOD OF UNITING METALS.

Application filed January 26, 1923. Serial No. 615,118.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER T. KAsLEY, a citizen of the United States,'and a resident of Essington, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Methods of Uniting Metals, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a method of unitture, and has for its object to provide a method-of the character designated which shall permit the uniting of metallic parts, such, for example, as iron or steel, in a simple and highly eflicacious manner.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the method of carrying out a preliminary step in my proposed method; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a further step and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one form of the final product.

In the joining of metallic members formed, for example, of iron or steel, it has been proposed to heat the members while in contact in an atmosphere of hydrogen, placing .in contact with the members a small amount of material such as copper, and heating the assemblage, whereupon the hydrogen prevented the formation of oxide and the copper or other alloying material flowed between and around the contacting surfaces with the formation of an effective weld.

In accordance with the present invention,

. intothe metaland there remains, either as occluded gas'or in the form of an hydride of the metal.

After this preliminary step, the 'abuttin faces of themembers to bejoined are place in contact in the presence of a small amount of-alloying'material, such as copper, brass or other brazing material and the assemblage heated, whereupon the hydrogen within the metal plays an exceedingly important and valuable function in preventing the formation of oxide and in producing a highly eflicacious union of the members. Prefering"metals, particularly of an oxidizable 'naably I supplement the reducing action of the hydrogen by covering the parts with powdered charcoal or other reducing agent before the application of heat.

Referring to the drawing, I show my method as carried out in the fastening of turbine blades to a turbine rotor, inasmuch as I have found thismethod to be very effective in thus mounting turbine blades.

In Fig. 1 I show a turbine blade at 5, having an upset base portion 6, provided with a tang 7. This root portion is submerged in an electrolytic bath 8 and is con nected as the cathode in a suitable circuit embodying an anode 9, and a current source 10. IVhile the electrolytic bath" may have any one of a, large number of acids or salts cent hydrogen evolved at the cathode penetrates to a considerable depth thereinto, either forming physical union therewith as an occluded gas, or a chemical union as a hydride, or a mixture of both. In this connection, I do not desire to commit myself to either theory of the action, it suiiicing to state that the hydrogen passes into exceedingly intimate union with the metal.

The upper portion of the blade 5 need not be treated and thusit maybe left out of the bath as illustrated, or it may be coated, as with paraflin, in order to prevent electrolytic action thereupon.

In a similar manner, a turbine disc shown in partial section at- 20 in Fig. 2, and embodying a peripheral groove 11 may have its rim or periphery suitably treated in a hydrogen bath.

The rotor 20 and the blade 5 are then placed in appropriate juxtaposition as illustrated in Fig.2, the tang 7 resting within the groove 11 and the treated portion of the blade 5 being indicated by stippling as well rial.

Having completed this assemblage, charvwire of copper, brass or other brazing matecoal or other reducing material is preferably placed over the members, as shown at 14 and the entire assemblage is heated to such a drogen treatment, thus making the weld, in effect, one of copper to copper.

Should it be desired'to' avoid injury to the steel parts to be joined as by the application of too high a brazing heat thereto, zinc may be employed as the brazing material. Where superheated steam is to be employed in the is highly effective;

While I have illustrated my improved method for use'in mounting turbine blades, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but that it is susceptible to a wide range of use in the arts in joining together metallic members.

While I hate shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the 'art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departi from thespirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by theprior art or as are specifically set forth in the appendedclaims.

What I claim.is:- 1. The method of uniting two metallic temperature as to cause the brazing. material the abutting surfaces in addition to the hy-' turbine of such temperature as to threatenthe'fusion of pure zinc, I find that an alloy of, for example, 90% zinc and copper members which comprises impregnating the surfaces'thereof to be united with-hydrogen to an appreciable depth and thereafter placing said membersin contact in the presence of an alloying metal and applying heat thereto. 7 1

2. The method of uniting two metallic members which comprises forming a layer of mingled metal and hydrogen of appreciable depth onthe surfaces thereof to be united, placing said members incontact in the presence of an alloying metal and applying heat I thereto. L

g 3. The method .of uniting two metallic members which comprises first inserting the contactlng face of each member as the oathode in a hydrogen-depositing electrolytic.

bath and thereafter placing said members 'in contact in the presence of an alloying metal and subjecting them to heat.

l. The method of uniting two metallic members Which'comprises impregnating the surfaces thereof to be united with hydrogen to an appreciable depth and thereafter-placing said membersin contact in the presence of an alloying metal and applying heat thereto in a reducing furnace. f

5. The method of uniting two metallic 1 members which comprises forming a layer of mingled metal and hydrogen of appreciable depth on the surfaces thereof tobe united,

placing said members ,in contact in the presence of an alloying metal and applying heat thereto in a reducing furnace.

6. The method of uniting two metallic memberswhich comprises first inserting the contacting face of each ,member as the oathode in a hydrogen-depositing electrolytic bath and thereafter placing said members in contact in the presence of an alloying metal and subjecting them to heat in at reducing furnace. v n

In testimony whereof,' I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23rd day of J anuary,1923.

J ALEXANDER T. KASLEY. 

